Official Release: Two class wins in this year’s competition have boosted the BMW Group’s cache of titles acquired in the prestigious International Engine of the Year Award. The two latest accolades go to two power units that manage to combine sporty performance with exemplary efficiency in unique fashion. The 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology – as featured in numerous current BMW models – ranks among the prize-winners for the fourth time. Meanwhile, the 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine that drives the MINI Cooper S Countryman and the MINI Cooper S Paceman, among other models, has secured its eighth consecutive class win. continued →

The words Chinese and aftermarket don’t conjure up positive thoughts typically. And while we’re still not sure if what we see above is a quality piece of software and hardware engineering, it’s at the very least interesting. What it is is the first full aftermarket navigation system designed for the R55, R56, R57, R58, R59, R60 and R61 MINIs. What it runs on we don’t know (and believe me tried to ask) but it’s clear continued →

According to MINI US product managers, all current R5X MINI models will get the same LED fog lights that debuted this week on the Countryman. Furthermore the Paceman will also receive all the R60 Countryman updates (sans the All4 appearance package – the silver accents) for the 2015 model year. The best news? This will be standard on all cars. But that’s not all that is changing for 2015. continued →

Ten current and past owners to live out their fantasy test drive in the new MINI
Contest asked owners to submit how they would test drive the new MINI Ten winners will now live out their test drive experience and design a brand new “MINI Originals” package MINI community will vote on their favorite and the winning package will be available for order on MINIUSA.com and at select dealerships Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 28, 2014… The results are in! MINI USA has selected ten finalists, including one “Fan Favorite” voted on by the MINI community, to live out their Final Test Test Drive. Past and present MINI owners dreamed up and submitted photos and videos of their dream test drive as part of the contest to launch the new MINI Hardtop.

There is little question the original JCW GP is a special car — an incredibly special car. It was thrown together at break-neck speed with off-the-shelf parts and yet it’s one of the most satisfying cars I’ve ever driven at any price. Sure, MINI had some trouble selling all of them at the time, as they have with the GP2, but since then it’s become a classic with ever-slowing depreciation. That original MINI JCW GP will surely be a classic.

In contrast, the new GP is a much more serious car. Road testing and development took place primarily at the Nurburgring, led primarily by a MINI race car driver. Instead of a few months, the second generation JCW GP was two years in the making. In those two years, MINI JCW fitted an entirely new, bespoke suspension. MINI spec’d unique tires and a specially-matched six-pot braking system that was designed to stop cars almost 1,000 lbs heavier. The result was nothing short of phenomenal. Whether on the track or on the road, the 2013 JCW GP is astonishing in its ability to change direction, stop, and go. Yet it’s not just the quickness of the new GP that exhilarates. It’s the car’s feedback at every touch-point.

Drive TV – a Youtube favorite of ours features a handful or different shows that explore every corner of the automotive world. One of our favorites, Tuned with Matt Farah recently took a JCW GP to the Silver State Classic. An open road challenge in the Nevada Dessert, it’s a timed event that involved speed, endurance and math. And on a long holiday weekend it’s also a perfect thing to sit back and enjoy. continued →

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